“Hum! Er—have you heard—Has anyone been here?”
“Yes. I have heard. The telegram came and I answered it.”
“You did? Well, it's a miracle and we're all thankful, of course. Did you—er—er—”
“Doctor, I must go home. I mustn't stay here any longer.”
“Why not?”
“You know why not. I must be at home when he comes. You must get some one to take my place. Aunt Keziah will stay, of course, and perhaps Mrs. Higgins would come, or Hannah Poundberry. She—”
“Not if I know it. I'd as soon have a hay-cutter running in here as Hannah's tongue. I could stop a hay-cutter when it got too noisy. Well, if you must go, you must, I suppose. But stay through tomorrow, at any rate. Nat won't get here until Thursday, and I may be able to find another nurse by that time. And what I shall say to him,” motioning toward the other room, “I don't know.”
“Must you say anything? Just say that I have been called away for a few days on—on some business. Don't tell him. Don't tell him the truth, doctor, now. He is too weak and I am afraid—”
She stopped and turned away. The doctor watched her pityingly.
“Cheer up,” he said. “At any rate, this is only for a little while. When the captain knows, if he's the man I take him for, he'll—”